It was [a _____] morning that greeted the [gathering] of hard-drinking journalists and curious pigeons. The impromptu press conference was conven[ient for?] professor of archaeology and bon vivant Simon Petrikov. You may remember Petrikov for that thing Fa[__]u[__]nva. Well that guy is [back] from his [____] expedition in the [Hindu _____] or whatever.

With much pomp Petrikov unveiled the most significant [piece] from the dig to a rapt audience. [Turns] out it was just a book. A ratty-looking leatherbound manual whose title [Petrikov] had translated as 'The Enchiridion'.

The cover [impressed?] with a still life and inset [with] a variety of gems was alright to look at.